I have recently started performing with another women singer doing traditional songs in vocal harmony. we also play between us flute, bodhran and ukulele! I was wondering if anyone out there could suggest some interesting songs written by or for women to sing: things like work songs or songs from a female perspective! Thanks mudcatters!

Washing up, washing up, washing up we're at it hours and hours each day every plate, every saucer, every cup we'd like to fling them miles away we can't enjoy the way we should a single bite or sup for we realize with pain that we have to start again washing up, washing up, washing up.

I remember her performing it with a few of her friends for our local Coronation Celebration. That takes you back a bit doesn't it.

Another one they did was a strip tease to This old hat of mine. It brought the house down seeing half a dozen young middle aged women stripped down to their 'combs'

One day I was walking, I heard a complaining And saw an old woman the picture of gloom She gazed at the mud on her doorstep ('twas raining) And this was her song as she wielded her broom

C C7 E E7 / F D7 G G7 / C - F C / G - G7 C

Life is a trial and love is a trouble Beauty will fade and riches will flee Pleasures they dwindle and prices they double And nothing is as I would wish it to be.

There's too much of worriment goes to a bonnet There's too much of ironing goes to a shirt There's nothing that pays for the time you waste on it There's nothing that last us but trouble and dirt.

CHORUS

In March it is mud, it is slush in December The midsummer breezes are loaded with dust In fall the leaves litter, in muddy September The wall paper rots and the candlesticks rust

CHORUS

There are worms on the cherries and slugs on the roses And ants in the sugar and mice in the pies The rubbish of spiders no mortal supposes And ravaging roaches and damaging flies

CHORUS

It's sweeping at six and it's dusting at seven It's victuals at eight and it's dishes at nine It's potting and panning form ten to eleven We scarce break our fast till we plan how to dine

CHORUS

With grease and with grime from corner to center Forever at war and forever alert No rest for a day lest the enemy enter I spend my whole life in struggle with dirt

CHORUS

Last night in my dreams I was stationed forever On a far distant isle in the midst of the sea My one chance of life was a ceaseless endeavor To sweep off the waves as they swept over me

Alas! Twas no dream; ahead I behold it I see I am helpless my fate to avert She lay down her broom, her apron she folded She lay down and died and was buried in dirt.

CHORUS

Traditional

extra verse by Marion Wade

We're still chasing dirt but we're not just complaining We stand up for our rights and we ask men to share We fight with them sometimes, sometimes we're "explaining" If we'd all stop to listen, someday we might dare To make life worth its toil and love worth its troubles Though beauty and riches may stay or may flee And pleasures they'll triple or certainly double When things will be as we would wish them to be

alternate last verse and chorus from Hilda Thomas of Vancouver:

"Alas, 'twas no dream - ahead I behold it, But I am not helpless my fate to avert." She laid down her broom, her apron she folded - "If this doesn't stop, someone's gonna get hurt!"

"Oh, life is a toil and love is a trouble, Beauty will fade and riches will flee, But I'm damned if I'll live with oppression that's double, I'm damned if I'll wait any more to be free!"

recorded by Peggy Seeger on Penelope's Not Waiting and Frankie Armstrong Female Frolic DC, JB

Brilliant. Great to discover Lynne Heraud and Pat Turner who are fantastic-just been listening to some of their songs on itunes.I'm off to listen to sisters unlimited now. I am a big Sandra Kerr fan and can't believe I hadn't heard of this group-very exciting!